Psalms 49

Verse 1. For Asaph. The prep. L is placed before his name, as it is before David’s. Bible.—Yet whether he was the author of the psalm, ( Calmet.) or only set it to music, ( Worthington.) is uncertain. Menochius.—The 72d, and ten following psalms, bear his name, and it is observed, that the style is not so flowing as those which are attributed to the royal prophet. Moller.—It is certain, that Asaph was a prophet, and chief musician in the days of David. 1 Chronicles 6:39 and 25:2. and 2 Chronicles 29:30. Bert.—But the psalms that have this title relate to the captives, and may have been composed by some of his descendants. This and the following seem designed to shew, that something more than bloody victims is required by God; and thus the Israelites, who could not offer sacrifices at Babylon, were comforted; and the people taught by degrees, to look for something more excellent than the law of Moses. Calmet.—The first and second coming of Christ are here described. D.—God’s angels, just men, judges, ( Calmet.) idols, and so forth Worthington.—Hebrew El Elohim, Yehova, “the mighty God, the Lord.” Bible.—From these three titles, some of the Fathers have proved the blessed Trinity. E.—But this argument is not conclusive. Bert.—They ought, however, to fill us with awe, when he shall come to judge the earth, his chosen people, (verse 4. Calmet.) or all mankind. Bert. Menochius.—Christ will come, surrounded by many legions of angels. Bible.

Verse 2. Beauty. This may refer to God, or to Sion, ( Calmet.) where the Church of Christ began. Worthington.

Verse 3. Silence. Christ displayed the light of truth from Sion, at his first coming. But he would not judge any till the second. John 3:17 and 8:15. Saint Jerome Calmet.—Before him, at the last day, ( Bible.) or in hell. Saint Athanasius—Our Saviour appeared formerly with great mildness: but he will come with majesty and terror, after fire shall have destroyed all transitory things. Worthington.

Verse 4. Earth. As if they were animated. Deuteronomy 4:26 and 32:1. Isaiah 1:2. Jeremiah 2:12.—Some understand the angels and apostles by heaven. Calmet.—Judge. Lit. “to divide,” discernere, ( Bible.) the goats from the sheep. Matthew 25:32. Calmet. Menochius.—The whole earth, particularly the elect, will approve of God’s decree. 1 Corinthians 6:2.

Verse 5. His saints. Hebrew “my merciful ones,” ( Bible.) the chosen people, ( Calmet.) particularly priests, (Theod.) who might have too high an opinion of the legal sacrifices, (Saint John Chrysostom) or all the elect are meant. Matthew 24:30. Euseb.—The Hebrews were the only nation which then offered sacrifices to the true God, though some individuals might do it among the Gentiles. Calmet.—Before, super, or, “who make a covenant with him respecting sacrifices.”—Prot. “those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Malachi 1:12. Bible.—The Septuagint seem to have read v for i, more accurately, as the prophet speaks till verse 7. Bert.—Judgment should begin at the house of God. And if first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17. Romans 2:9. Bible.—Those who believe not, are already judged. John 3.—Sacrifice generally precedes a covenant. Genesis 15:17. Menochius.

Verse 6. Heavens. Apostles, (Saint Jerome) or angels. Chal. Saint Athanasius—God is judge. His sentence must therefore be just, ( Menochius.) and we ought to tremble. 1 Corinthians 4:4. Bible.

Verse 7. Testify. I will require thee to speak the truth, and attest the world. Psalms 80:9. Calmet.

Verse 8. Sight. I complain of no neglect ( Menochius.) in these outward ceremonies. Bible.—God required no victims during the captivity; but he always demanded praise, (verse 14. Calmet.) a contrite heart. Psalms 50:19. and so forth Bible.—The prophets often admonished the people of this truth, (Isaiah 1:2. Jeremiah 7:20. Calmet.) that they might not set too high a value on sacrifices, ( Bible.) which, though pleasing to God, are of no service to him; as all the world is his property. Worthington.

Verse 10. Oxen. Saint Jerome and Prot. “the cattle upon a thousand hills.” But our version is very good, and adopted by the Syr. Ferrand, and so forth Calmet.—Aleph means an ox as well as a thousand; and i may have been added to the preceding word, instead of u, at the beginning of this. Bert.—We find u here improperly in either, “beast.” Houbig.—No mention is made of fishes, because they were not used as victims. Calmet.

Verse 11. I know your number, and have absolute dominion over all. Isaiah 37:28. Calmet.—Field. Ripe fruits. Saint Cyril Alex.—With God all things are present. Saint Augustine Lombard, 1 dist. 35. F. Amama.

Verse 13. Goats? Can any of you be so stupid? Menochius.—Some of the pagans believed, that their idols delighted in the smell of victims. Bible.

Verse 14. Vows. A faithless promise is very displeasing. Eccle. 5:3. True religion must be interior, ( Calmet.) also 1 Corinthians 14:15. Bible.—We must discharge, not only our general, ( Menochius.) but also our particular vows, ( Worthington.) and obligations. Bible.

Sheol is the place of the dead.

Sheol is the place of the dead.

Verse 15. Call. Prayer is a perfect act of religion, and a confession of God’s dominion.

Qui fingit sacros auro vel marmore vultus,

Non facit ille Deos: qui rogat, ille facit. Mart. viii. verse 24.

To neglect prayer is, in some sense, to deny God. Calmet.—He is pleased to exercise our confidence, ( Bible.) and will have us to call upon him in distress. Menochius.

Sheol is the place of the dead.

Verse 16. Sinner. He is not blamed for praying: but his hypocrisy is condemned. Bert.—The world is full of such hypocrites, who have God in their mouths, but not in their hearts, and whose voice alone is the voice of Jacob. Genesis 27:22. Isaiah 29:13. Titus 1:16.—The wicked judges, who condemned Susanna, (Daniel 13) should have attended to these lessons. Calmet.—Thou that teachest another, teachest not thyself. Romans 2:21.—It is surely to be expected, ( Bible.) that those who undertake to teach others, should shew good example, and serve God with sincerity, ( Worthington.) and not content themselves with the glory of their vocation. Menochius.

Verse 20. Lay. Hebrew “slanderest.” (Prot.) But dophi occurs on where else. Bert.—The sinner sits to detract, or with pleasure, ( Menochius.) habitually offends. Bible.